16th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

16th Sunday of the Year (C), July 21, 2013

Liturgical readings
Genesis 18:1-10
Psalm 15
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42

"One thing only is required."



Jesus entered a village


where a woman named Martha
welcomed him to her home.


She had a sister named Mary,


who seated herself at the Lord's feet

and
listened to his words.


Martha,
who was busy with all the details
of hospitality,


came to him and said,


"Lord,
are you not concerned that my sister
has left me all alone to do the household tasks?


Tell her to help me."


The Lord in reply
said to her:


"Martha, Martha


you are anxious and upset
about many things;


one thing only is required.


Mary has chosen the better portion
and she shall not be deprived of it."



"One thing only is required."

The gospel story of Martha and Mary describes the paths they took to serve the Lord. There is Martha's path: to serve the Lord directly by detailing all food and drink necessities, and other matters of hospitality. And there is Mary's path: to sit by the Lord, keep him company, and listen to his words. Both paths are good and holy. But what makes Mary's path "better" is the opportunity to really listen to Jesus and receive the freedom not to be too concerned with the many cares and anxieties that accompany Martha's path of service.


Classic interpretation of this gospel passage teach that Martha's path is followed by Catholics in the active apostolate: in family, education, media, health, parish, or in the mission to non-Catholics. Mary's path, on the other hand, represent those who are purely contemplative: the monks and the cloistered nuns. The simplicity and constancy of life of the monks and the nuns makes it easier for them to follow the "one thing required". On the other hand, those who are more active, have to deal with many things in their agenda. In their service, they are prone to be tempted to anxiety and forget that "one thing only is required".


There are very few who are called to the purely contemplative life. The majority of Catholics balance both contemplation and activity in each of their respective states of life. In practice, both "Martha's path" and "Mary's path" are really integrated and intertwined with each other in the daily life of prayer and work. What is needed is just to discern at times what balance of prayer and activity can help us listen to the Lord well, be productive in our work, and be molded more in His image. Maybe this gospel passage can open our eyes and see where we are in this balance. Is the Lord calling us to be more prayerful, or to be more active in our life in Him? What balance can remind us that "one thing only is required"?

Scripture verses:
"The Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre." (Genesis 18)
"He honors those who fear the Lord." (Psalm 15)
"A mystery hidden from ages and generations past but now revealed to his holy ones." (Colossians 1)

15th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

15th Sunday of the Year (C), July 14, 2013

Liturgical readings
Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Psalm 69
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37

"Then go and do the same."

The positive influence of good example. We need a lot of this in our times. The gospel portrays what good example is in our faith. A parable from Jesus makes this point before a lawyer. This parable is a familiar story even to non-Christians.

There was a man who on his journey fell into robbers and was left half-dead. A priest saw him and passed him by. So did a Levite. But when a Samaritan saw him, noticing that he was a Jew (Jews of that time looked down on their Samaritan neighbors), his heart was nevertheless moved with compassion. Despite the racial barriers between them, the Samaritan took care of the wounded Jew.

Compassion is a universal virtue. It is a language understood by all. That is why Blessed John Paul II drew such a huge audience wherever he went in his missionary journeys. Everyone understood well the language of compassion he spoke. His respect for life in all its stages, enkindled every heart who sought God earnestly and sincerely. His devotion to the Blessed Mother of God influenced the entire world, to work for the cause of peace, and to care for the sick, the elderly, and life at its most vulnerable stages.

"Then go and do the same." Like Jesus and Blessed John Paul II, we are called to cultivate in our lives and work that same quality of compassion and care for others. We need not be itinerant missionaries like them, but each one of us has been gifted by God with one or more of the following: strength of character, a rank of privilege or influence, material resources, an ability, a talent, a specific intelligence, or a noble ancestry. With just one of any of these, we can apply the universal virtue of compassion to our places of work - where not all are Catholics, nor even Christians. So, the Lord speaks to our heart in the gospel now: "Then go and do the same."

Scripture verses
"This command is something very near to you, already in your hearts; you have only to carry it out." (Deuteronomy 30)
"For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah." (Psalm 69)
"Christ is before all else that is. In him everything continues in being." (Colossians 1)

St. Benedict and His Way of Integration

"Integration: The Way of St. Benedict" by Anselm Grun, OSB

Introduction: The Catholic Church honors the obligatory memorial of St. Benedict of Nursia every July 11. He is one of the six saints who were declared as patrons of Europe.

St. Benedict's influence comes from his monastic spirituality - which began in the 4th century. It is based on a Rule that is adopted by many religious institutes since then. There is so much to learn from this Rule and the Saint himself who discovered a way of integration, a process of development, a way of self-realization, a manner of individuation, and a method of journeying into one's own unique personhood.

"Integration: The Way of St. Benedict"

In this book by Anselm Grun, OSB, the author uses Pope St. Gregory's biography of St. Benedict as a way to re-read how the saint journeyed into the full maturity of Christ's image - the end by which we are called to grow into by virtue of our being baptized into Christ's person. In the book, the author gives an example through St. Benedict: how to be one with yourself; how to reconcile yourself with your evil side (your shadow); how to integrate your anima (for men) and animus (for women) - feminine and masculine psychological components; how to free yourself from your egoism; how to deal with people; and how to become one with God.

A great help for midlifers

For those who are in midlife, this is one very good resource to read and reread. It is a source of good insights on the mystery of human growth - both in its psychological and spiritual aspects. The title of the book itself, "Integration", is a term often associated for those journeying into their midlife years - years that are filled with reflecting on one's experiences in youth, and connecting those reflections with incoming old age. The fruit of these reflections and accompanying prayers is human development in wisdom, and the constant practice of prudence in judgment and decisions.

Topics and chapters in the book

To have an idea of what the book contains, below is a list of the chapters and topics of the book:

• Steps on Benedict's way
• The first step into freedom
• Separation from the mother
• Solitary in the cave
• Meeting with people
• Temptation through recollection of a woman
• The spiritual fatherhood
• Collapse of the first venture
• Dwelling within himself
• Renewed attempt at spiritual guidance
• The signs of the prophets
• The old enemy in a new location
• Marvels of knowledge
• Marvels of deeds
• Integration of the anima
• The cosmic vision
• The Rule as witness of Benedict's stature
• The consummation
• Benedict's continued activity: a healing in the cave

Related resources:

• Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney
• "A Year with the Saints" by Don Bosco Press, Inc.
• "Doctors of the Church" by Fink
• "Saints for Our Time" by Ransom